MANILA, Philippines—Staunch anti-communist lawmaker Jovito Palparan of Bantay party-list called on the Filipino voters not to elect Senator Manuel Villar if he continues to support the senatorial bid of leftwing House members.

Palparan, a retired military general and long-time nemesis of progressive groups, warned Villar of the “dire consequences that may befall our country” if he allied himself with
fellow party-list representatives Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna and Liza Maza of Gabriela.

“We don’t underestimate the ability of Senator Villar if he wins, but still the communists have a lot of experience in taking over government,” he said in a news conference Wednesday.

Asked if it was unwise to elect a candidate cuddling even the “enemies of the state” just to win the presidential ballot, Palparan said, “Yes, I’m saying that it’s very dangerous.”

“If Villar is elected, it would be dangerous for this country if the communists will also win. If Villar wins and the communists do not, that’s fine,” he said.

Villar on Monday announced the adoption of Ocampo and Maza into the senatorial slate of the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Ocampo and Maza have joined the senatorial race under the Makabayan coalition of party-list groups.

Palparan, who is also seeking a senatorial seat, has been branded “berdugo” (butcher) for his alleged role in the killings, abductions and other human rights violations committed against members of leftwing groups during his stint as military commander in Mindoro, Samar and Central Luzon.

He said he would campaign not only for his election, but for the public to be warned against electing leftwing leaders like Ocampo and Maza.

Contrary to the three million votes the Makabayan coalition promised deliver for Villar, Palparan said the NP could lose more support, citing the unsettling crimes of communists in the rural areas.

He said the Left is now resorting to a “new strategy” of joining Congress to exert greater influence on the future president. He said that eventually, the leftwing lawmakers could even bargain to have Cabinet members from their ranks.